Donor-acceptor complexes of dipyrrolylmethenes with boron trifluoride as intermediates in the synthesis of Bodipy

The formation of donor-acceptor complexes of dipyrrolylmethene and structurally similar biladiene-a,c with boron trifluoride was studied by electronic absorption, IR, and 1H NMR spectroscopies as well as by quantum chemical calculations. It was shown that the formation of donor-acceptor complexes is the first step of the synthesis of the corresponding boron fluoride chelate complexes (Bodipy). The hydrogen bond N—H...F—B additionaly stabilizes the donor-acceptor complexes. The stability constants, geometric parameters, and energy characteristics of the donoracceptor complexes were determined; the two-step mechanism of Bodipy synthesis was analyzed.